The sun's warmth slowly began to break through the darkness, casting a soft, golden glow across the forest floor. Haruto's eyes fluttered open, his body stiff from the ordeal. For a moment, everything felt foggy, like he was still trapped in the aftermath of a dream. But the cold air, the rustling leaves, and the distant chirps of birds quickly reminded him that this was real.
He slowly sat up, feeling the pressure in his head, his limbs sore and weak. His gaze fell to his arms, which were scratched and bruised. The cut from earlier, the one that had almost sliced deep into his flesh, was completely gone. His skin was smooth, as though the injury had never existed.
He frowned. My skin is healed. I don't remember healing, and I didn't use any medicine. What does this mean? His mind raced through potential explanations. Could this be linked to the powers I've gained? Some form of automatic regeneration, maybe?
His gaze drifted down to the Saphiris plant he had carried with him. The once-vibrant blue liquid had turned a dull brown, like the plant had lost its vitality. Was it the environment? Or did the plant react to something else? Haruto's brain ran calculations, exploring every possible variable.
"I see."
The words were soft, his voice barely rising above a whisper, as he muttered his thoughts aloud. His mind was already running the numbers, evaluating the implications. The plant was an anomaly, but there was still a puzzle to solve about the connection between the plant's vitality and his new powers.
His stomach growled loudly, snapping him out of his analysis. Priority: survival. I need food, and I need it quickly. His thought process was quick, calculating the time it would take to find a reliable food source. The river is the most probable source of immediate sustenance. I'll move toward it.
Before he could move, his thoughts went back to the dragon. It had been a monumental fight, a struggle for his life. The dragon dissolved after death, leaving no trace. Did I… absorb its essence? Or was it destroyed completely? He ran a mental model of the events. The dragon's death had been dramatic, and now, the aftermath was equally puzzling.
"What happened to the dragon?" he asked aloud, speaking to the silence.
A brief silence followed before a calm voice echoed in his mind.
"Upon death, the dragon's essence was consumed by your Unique Skill. High-tier creatures such as this dragon dissolve into an ethereal form, leaving no physical remains. However, their abilities and essence are transferred to you upon defeat, allowing you to assimilate their powers."
Haruto's brows furrowed, quickly processing the implications. Absorbed? His mind rapidly calculated the potential benefits of this skill. This means I now possess the abilities of a dragon, possibly enhancing my combat capabilities and possibly more. How much of this can I control, though? Can I selectively integrate abilities, or will it overwhelm my skill set?
"Wait, so I... absorbed its abilities?" he asked, testing the theory.
"Affirmative. Your Unique Skill grants you the ability to consume the essence of defeated monsters, integrating their powers into your skill set. This process occurs automatically after their death."
If I've gained these abilities, how do they affect my skill set? How does the essence work with my current powers? Haruto felt the weight of this new knowledge. He was accumulating strength faster than he could assess its full extent. I need to test these abilities carefully to understand their limitations and applications.
For now, he pushed those thoughts aside, focusing on his immediate need: survival. Food first, then I'll strategize further.
His stomach growled again, louder this time. Haruto shook his head, clearing his thoughts, and stood up with a grunt. He needed food, and he needed to keep moving. His mind processed his next move instantly. The river is nearby, and based on current flow, the fish should be abundant and easily caught.
After what felt like hours, Haruto's eyes caught sight of something that made him stop in his tracks: a river. The water was clear, flowing gently, and in its cool depths, he could see fish darting through the current.
His heart raced as he realized it was his best shot at getting something to eat. I can catch fish using speed and precision. The question is: how much energy do I need to expend to catch them efficiently? Too much wasted movement could lead to unnecessary fatigue. He knelt beside the water, fingers brushing over the surface before plunging them in, grabbing a fish with surprising speed.
His body responded instinctively—he didn't need to think about it. But Haruto analyzed the situation anyway. I can't afford to waste energy, so I'll catch only what I need for now. Too much would be unnecessary, and I must stay alert for any possible threats.
After catching enough fish, he searched for a place to rest. The forest was vast and unfamiliar, but he soon found a cave. It was small, but the entrance was wide enough to make him cautious. If a large predator roams here, I'll need to block the entrance.
He gathered a pile of sturdy branches and stacked them near the entrance, creating a makeshift barricade. It wouldn't stop a determined monster, but it was enough to give him a moment's notice if something approached.
As the fire crackled in front of him, its warmth soothing his tired body, Haruto sat down, watching the fish cook. The flickering flames reflected in his sharp eyes, his body language showing a rare moment of ease. He let out a small breath.
This is my first time being alone.
The realization settled in. At his parents' house, there were always servants. Food was prepared, shelter was guaranteed, and safety was never a concern. But now, it was just him.
Haruto let the thought sink in before shaking it off. There was no point in dwelling on the past.
"Where am I?" he asked, his voice quiet, though his thoughts were clear.
There was a pause before the voice responded in his mind.
"This is a dangerous and expansive area where many powerful monsters reside. It is known for its high concentration of hostile creatures, making it a place where survival is difficult for unprepared individuals."
Haruto stayed quiet for a moment, processing the information. You really know everything, don't you? he thought.
He quickly shifted his focus, moving on to the next pressing question. How can I get back to my world?
There was no response. Just the crackling of the fire and the cool night air.
Haruto sighed, realizing what that silence meant. So that's a no, huh?
He took the fish off the fire and blew on it before taking a bite. The meat was tender, the flavor rich and satisfying. He savored it slowly, appreciating the warmth of the fire and the simple pleasure of food after a long day.
After finishing his meal, Haruto sat back, his thoughts racing. "What abilities do I have now?" he asked aloud, his voice soft. "I have to know what I'm dealing with." He spoke to himself, already processing the possible answers in his mind.
Azara's voice echoed in his mind once again. "Response: The user currently possesses the following abilities:"
"[Heat Resistance]" – Grants resistance to extreme heat and fire-based attacks.
"[Keen Senses]" – Enhances perception, including sight, hearing, and smell, allowing for heightened awareness of surroundings.
"[Fire Manipulation]" – Grants control over fire, including the ability to breathe flames and shape fire-based attacks.
"[Ice Manipulation]" – Enables the freezing of enemies and the creation of ice-based weapons.
"[Lightning Manipulation]" – Grants the ability to electrify attacks and enhance movement speed using lightning energy.
"[Absolute Resistance]" – Provides immunity to most forms of physical, magical, and elemental damage.
"[Shape-Shifting]" – Allows the user to alter their physical form at will.
"[Longevity]" – Significantly extends lifespan and slows aging."
Haruto exhaled sharply, his mind racing. Fire manipulation, huh? He looked at the stone he had used to create the fire earlier. He sighed dramatically, overwhelmed by the range of powers now available to him.
He looked outside the cave, seeing how dark it had become. "How creepy it looks out there," he muttered, deciding to go back inside. He lay down on a bed of leaves he had made earlier, trying to settle in for the night. Before he closed his eyes, he used his fire magic to keep the fire burning longer, adding more wood and carefully coaxing the flames to stay alive.
As he finally settled into sleep, Haruto mumbled to himself in a sleepy voice, "Tomorrow, I'll find humans... if there are any."